Moped style ebikes are very popular in 2020 as we’ve seen quite a few hit the market. The appeal of such bikes is their comfortable riding position, cool looks, and usually speed. The ebike in 2020 that looks and rides most like a moped is the Juiced Scorpion but Rize has its own take and we’re going to take a look at both of them.
Juiced Bikes announced the Scorpion in the fall of 2019 when they launched their Indiegogo campaign for its development. There are two models of the Scorpion, the base model featuring a 750-watt Bafang motor and a 52 volt 13 Ah battery, and the HyperScorpion with a 1000-watt Bafang motor and a 52 volt 19.2 Ah battery.
The Rize Liberty has a 750-watt Bafang motor and a 48 volt 19.2 Ah battery.
Both bikes are offering plenty of “juice” in the batteries they have chosen and for the Scorpion and Liberty, they’re sporting pretty much the same motor. Of course, the HyperScorpion has an even larger capacity battery and a 1000-watt motor but it costs over $1000 more than the Liberty so I’ve chosen to compare the two bikes that are in the same price range and are featuring very similar components.
Batteries
The Scorpion with its 52 volt 13 Ah battery theoretically has the ability for higher speeds but it doesn’t have the same range as the 48 volt 19.2 Ah battery of the Liberty. However, we also need to keep in mind bike weight. The Scorpion weighs 100 lbs with the battery installed while the Rize weighs 83 lbs.
What difference does volts or amps make for an ebike? Volts basically refers to the power or capacity of an ebike battery. The higher the voltage the more “horsepower” the bike has. Think of more ability to climb hills or faster takeoffs. Higher voltage also often translates into higher speeds. Amp hours is the capacity of the battery which translates into distance. Higher amp hours will allow you to travel farther.
Speed and Range
The Scorpion is advertised as being capable of 28 mph using pedal assist and 20 mph using throttle only. The Rize can be set to be a Class 1, 2, or 3 bike and is also capable of 28 mph speeds but that may be referring to pedal assist speeds. We’ll have to wait and see.
In the Scorpion’s corner is the off-road controller which can be installed to unleash more of the bike’s power. This allows the bike to go faster than 20 mph using the throttle. So far I’ve seen claims that riders have reached 26 mph. The HyperScorpion ships with this capability and can go about 31-32 mph.
While speeds have yet to be tested side by side since the Liberty will begin shipping shortly, we can assume that the battery of the Liberty will have longer range than the Scorpion. 19.2 amp hours for the Liberty is high capacity and should allow you to ride farther. Couple that with a lighter bike and it you shouldn’t have to worry about range. I’d expect it being able to reach 40 miles fairly easily depending upon throttle usage and rider weight.
As for the Scorpion, you may reach 40 miles too but you’ll have to be more conservative with pedal assist levels and throttle usage. I’ll update this post when I test out the Liberty in the coming weeks with real world numbers.
Motors
As far as the motors goes, they look to be identical. Both are using 750 watt Bafang hub motors. The Liberty is listed as having 80 N.m of torque. Juiced doesn’t list this on their website but I’m assuming they are the same.
Bafang is the most widely usage motor in the ebike industry and I would expect them to be reliable and durable. If and when the motor does need to be replaced, it should be easy to get a replacement.
Both of these bikes are using standards components for their brakes, derailleurs, shifters, tires, and motors so maintenance down the line shouldn’t be difficult or pricey. The batteries are one area where years and years from now you may have difficulty getting a replacement but luckily batteries can be rebuilt if worse comes to worse.
Frame Design
For me the most important differences are in frame design. Both bikes are that moped vibe going but the Scorpion was heavily inspired by those old 1970s Tomos mopeds. They look very similar.
The Scorpion definitely looks like a moped while the Liberty has retained more bicycle traits with a more slender frame and spoked wheels.
Between the two, I’d feel much more comfortable on a city bike path with the Liberty than the Scorpion. It’s cool that the Scorpion has the true moped look but a lot of people aren’t cool with a moped on a bike path. That might be a deciding factor for some.
The frame of the Liberty also has more room for water bottles and provides a little more space for stepping through the frame though I’ve never had a problem getting on or off my HyperScorpion.
But if you are going to be riding on the road a lot, the Scorpion and HyperScorpion do get more respect than your standard ebike. They look substantial and more capable of handling traffic. That’s most true with the HyperScorpion due to the higher speeds it can achieve. Plus, the HyperScorpion is also equipped with turn signals.
The Liberty will also grab attention on the road with its large headlight, just like the Scorpion. If you plan to ride with other bikes on bike trails, replacing the Liberty’s headlight with something more lower key will probably help it blend in more.
Suspension
The rear suspension on the Liberty doesn’t look nearly as substantial as the suspension on the Scorpion and HyperScorpion. We’ll have to wait until there’s riding tests to see if there is any noticeable difference but I would expect a very comfortable ride for both bikes. It’s a huge plus for moped style ebikes like these.
Accessories
Both bikes come with fenders, a large 2000 lumen motorcycle style light, and a rear rack. The fenders on the Rize are sportier looking while the fenders on the Scorpion offer more protection from water and mud.
Throttle
The throttle on the Scorpion is located on the right side and is the twist variety while the throttle on the Rize is a thumb throttle located on the left side. Personally, I prefer thumb throttles on the right side and generally thumb throttles over twist but that’s just personal preference. Both will get the job done.
Display
The display on the Liberty is center mounted and larger than the display on the Scorpion. The Liberty’s display also allows for quite a bit of customization in how the bike performs. Through it you can set the bike up as Class 1, 2, or 3 which may be important for following regulations where you live or for different trails that may have different standards. The Scorpion is Class 3 out of the box and can’t be changed.
Lights
Both have rear tail lights for added safety. The rear light on the Liberty also has a flashing mode which is good for added visibility, especially during the daytime.
Brakes
The brakes for both are very similar. Both use hydraulic Tektro brakes and 180 mm rotors except the Scorpion only has 180 mm on the front wheel and 160 mm on the back. I’ve found the brakes to be a little underpowered for the HyperScorpion.
Tires
Tires are also alike in that they are both the same size slick motorcycle type. Both have built-in puncture resistance but I do like that the Liberty also has reflective striping. However, the Scorpion has wheel reflectors so it’s basically a wash between the two.
Seat Comfort
It remains to be seen how comfortable the seat is on the Liberty but it is made of leather while the Scorpion is presumumbly vinyl. I’ve found the seat to be comfortable on the HyperScorpion which uses the same seat as the Scorpion.
The Scorpion (and HyperScorpion) also has a passenger seat option which at this time the Liberty doesn’t. Unlike a lot of moped style bikes that claim they’re built for two, the HyperScorpion for sure is powerful enough and large enough for two riders. I would expect the same for the Scorpion though it doesn’t have as much power. They should certainly be enough for an adult and child to ride fairly comfortably and safely.
Pricing
As far as price goes, the Liberty goes for $100 less than the Scorpion at this moment. The Scorpion is priced at $2199 and the Liberty at $2099. Both offer free shipping in the United States.
Juiced is an American based company located in California while Rize is based on Vancouver, Canada. The bikes are manufactured overseas. Between the two companies Juiced is more established having been founded in 2009. Rize is fairly new but the founders have been in the ebike industry for a number of years.
Both bikes offer 1-year warranties.
When it comes down to battery replacement in years to come the price of a new battery for Juiced is currently $799 while Rize charges $749.
Hauling
Something else to consider is how easy it is to transport the bikes. Both are quite hefty for ebikes but by removing the battery from the 83 lbs Rize it’ll be more in range of what ebike carriers are typically capable of. You may need a motorcycle carrier for the Scorpion. It would be difficult for an individual to lift either bike but the Rize would be easier to lift between the two. You’d probably want a carrier that has a ramp system for either option.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of the Scorpion is 275 lbs while the Liberty’s weight capacity is listed as 300 lbs. I’m betting the Scorpion can handle more than 275 lbs. That’s probably a conservative number. The Scorpion also has a tall seat and passenger seat option. If you’re a taller rider who enjoys pedaling, the Scorpion is the clear choice.
Rider Sizing
The standard seat height of the Scorpion is 30.9 inches while seat height of the Liberty is 31 inches. The tall seat option for the Scorpion is 33.5 inches. Both bikes are ideal for shorter riders. I’m 5’1″ and can ride the HyperScorpion comfortably.
For customer support, both companies have a similar track record. The user community for Juiced is larger but Rize is growing in popularity. An advantage of a large user community is being able to communicate with other bike owners who can offer advice and help or just have fun sharing your adventures with.
In conclusion the Scorpion and Liberty are very similar to each other in looks and riding style. It comes down to personal preference on which one you like better.
For me, I love the strong sturdy frame of the Scorpion for durability but I like the more slender bike-like frame of the Liberty for greater versatility. While I’m pretty much relegated to the roads on my HyperScorpion I’ll feel comfortable riding the Liberty on my city’s bike trails and that’s very important to me.
Of course, you may live in a city with extensive bike lanes and trails that may be more accepting of the Scorpion. Consider where you’ll be riding at home and possibly on your biking destinations to determine which bike is more practical for your needs. Check back for a full review of the Liberty and while I don’t own the Scorpion you can check out the review of the HyperScorpion.
Check out the full specs of the Rize Liberty and Juiced Scorpion
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